In what will probably be the least surprising news of the day, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is absent as the San Francisco 49ers begin their first practice of organized team activities (OTAs) open to the media. While it's the first chance for reporters to see the full roster in action, Aiyuk is notably missing, as negotiations for a contract extension with the 49ers reportedly remain at an impasse.
Also absent is wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who has yet to sign his $4.89 million restricted free-agent tender. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2025.
WRs Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings are not present for Day 2 of #49ers OTAs. Aiyuk is eyeing a contract extension, while Jennings has yet to sign his restricted free agent tender. At this point, Jennings cannot sign with any other team.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) May 21, 2024
Notably, this phase of the offseason remains voluntary, so no one expected Aiyuk to be in attendance.
"I'm told the 49ers certainly are open to doing a deal, but talks have not progressed enough where things are close," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler stated over the weekend.
Today, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo echoed, "Every sense that I've gotten from speaking to folks familiar with the progress of talks is that they are not close at this point."
The 49ers' first mandatory gathering is a minicamp slated for June 4-6. Although, the team has been known to move or shorten previous mandatory minicamps. Aiyuk could opt to attend mandatory events while holding himself out of any on-field activities.
The 49ers drafted Aiyuk out of Arizona State with the No. 25 overall pick in 2020. In 16 starts last season, he recorded 75 receptions for a career-best and team-leading 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, per Pro Football Reference.
With 1,015 receiving yards in 2022, Aiyuk surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in two consecutive seasons, becoming the first 49ers wide receiver to do so since Anquan Boldin in 2013 and 2014. He is also the first 49ers player to accomplish the feat since tight end George Kittle in 2018 and 2019.
Entering his fifth NFL season, Aiyuk is currently scheduled to earn $14.124 million in 2024.
